Collapsible utility table

ABSTRACT

A collapsible utility table is disclosed which comprises a tubular member, a table top member providing a working surface mounted at one end of the tubular member, a cover member of given volume and a base member. The tubular member extends normally to the working surface and is wholly receivable within the volume of the cover member. The cover member includes means for detachably supporting the cover member on the free end of the tubular member. The base member includes means wholly receivable within the tubular member for detachably supporting the tubular member above the base member. Catch means for detachably supporting the cover member and table top member are described.

United States Patent Carlson et a1.

[54] COLLAPSIBLE UTILITY TABLE [72] Inventors: Sharon L. Carlson; Jenny M. Salado, both of 4809 Atherton Avenue 021, San Jose, Calif. 95130 122 Filed: Feb.16, 1971 211 Appl.No.: 115,628

521 u.s.c1.. ..108/25,2l1/74,132/73.5 1511 ..A47b 85/00 [58} r1610 6: Search .lO8/l4, 2326, 10s/71.76,91,94-97,101,105,106,110,113,

14 1 May 30, 1972 1/1913 Carlsonetal ..108/96 2/1932 Snyder ..l32/73.5

57 ABSTRACT A collapsible utility table is disclosed which comprises a tubular member, a table top member providing a working surface mounted at one end of the tubular member, a cover member of given volume and a base member. The tubular member extends normally to the working surface and is wholly receivable within the volume of the cover member. The cover member includes means for detachably supporting the cover member on the free end of the tubular member. The base member includes means wholly receivable within the tubular member for detachably supporting the tubular member above the base member. Catch means for detachably supporting the cover member and table top member are described.

10 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures Patented May 30, 1972 2 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR. SHARON L. CARLSON BY JENNY M. SALADO W W r-WW/ ATTORNEYS Patented May 30, 1972 3,665,867

2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTORS SHARON L. CARLS JENNY M. SALAD ATTORNEYS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to utility tables and particularly to a utility table which is collapsible for storage in such a way that its working surface is protected from physical intrusions and contamination.

There are many manual tasks which involve close work with small physical parts, liquids and powders. In performing such tasks, it is desirable to have a working surface or table at a selected elevation upon which such items may be arranged for use or assembly in a readily accessible manner. It is often desirable that such working surface or table be movable so that it can be easily located at any desired place for utilization or stored when not in use. Thus, it is also desirable that such working surface or table top be protected against physical intrusion and contamination so that items arranged thereon may be left in place during movement and storage ready for further work in the future. When such working surface or table is stored it is desirable that it occupy reduced space from that occupied in use. Finally, it is desirable that such working surface be well lighted and ventilated, as well as protected from contamination, in use.

Various structures have been proposed in the prior art which provide various combinations of certain of the above mentioned desired characteristics. For example, US. Pat. No. 1,844,698 issued to Snyder Feb. 9, I932, discloses a manicure table which is movable, adjustable in height and well lighted in addition to being adapted to provide receptacles for the va.ri-' ous tools and liquids used in manicuring. However, such manicure table does not provide for protection from contamination in use and is not suitable for storage with such tools and liquids in place since it does not provide protection of the working surface from physical intrusion or contamination and is not adapted to require reduced space when stored.

It is an object of this invention to provide a table combining all of the desirable characteristics mentioned above.

It is a further object of this invention to provide such a table through the use of a simple and easily manufactured structure.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A collapsible utility table in accordance with the teaching of this invention comprises a base member, a table top member providing a working surface and a cover member of given volume. A tubular member affixed to the table top member extends upwardly from the working surface and is received within the volume of the cover member. First catch means are mounted on the cover member for detachably supporting the cover member in spaced relation to the working surface at the free end of the tubular member. Support means wholly received within the tubular member extend upwardly from the base member and second catch means are associated with the table top member for detachably supporting the working surface in spaced relation to the base member at the free end of the support means.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING The foregoing and other objects and features of the subject invention will be more fully understood from the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment thereof when read in conjunction with the attached drawings wherein:

FIG. I is a perspective view of a collapsible utility table in accordance with the teaching of this invention with the elements thereof in position for normal use;

FIG. 2 is a side view in elevation of the table of FIG. I in slightly reduced scale with the elements thereof in position for normal use and with certain elements shown in phantom;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the table of FIG. 1 with the elements thereof in their collapsed position for storage;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view showing a catch means suitable for use in supporting the working surface with respect to the base according to the embodiment of the utility table in accordance with the invention shown in FIG. I;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view showing a catch means suitable for use in supporting the cover member with respect to the working surface according to the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, of the utility table in accordance with this invention; and

FIG. 6 is a plan view of the working surface of the utility table according to the embodiment of this invention shown in FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION The embodiment of this invention shown in the attached figures and described in detail hereinafter is specifically designed for use as a manicure table. However, it will be understood that the elements of this invention may be specifically adapted for other uses. For example, the table top or working surface could be provided with appropriate receptacles and fixtures for use in performing a particular assembly operation in industry. Similarly, the table top or working surface could be provided with appropriate receptacles and fixtures for use in connection with various hobbies such as stamp collecting, jewelry making, or model building to be practiced in the home. Finally, embodiments of this invention such as the manicure embodiment, may be more or less complex depending on whether it is to be used in a beauty parlor, for example, or at home for self-manicure purposes, but in any event will include the basic elements of the invention which will be pointed out in describing the specific embodiment shown.

Referring to the drawings, FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of this invention specifically adapted for selfmanicure purposes. The basic elements of the device are the base 10, the table top member 20 providing a working surface 21, the cover member 30, tubular means 22 for supporting the cover member 30 above the working surface 22, and means 19 for supporting the table top member 20, and working surface 21 above the base 10. According to the teaching of this invention, the tubular member 22 is rigidly fixed with respect to the working surface 21 and extends normally thereto. The cover member 30 is preferably a hollow shell, in the form of an inverted cup, having appropriate dimensions to provide a volume capable of fully receiving that portion of the tubular member 22 which projects from the working surface 21. The base member 10 is of appropriate cross-sectional dimensions and weight to impart stability to the table in use. According to the teaching of this invention the table top member 20 and working surface 21 are supported on the base member 10 by means 19 which are fully receivable within the tubular member 22. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 the means 19 may comprise a pair of telescoping tubes 17 and 18 adapted to be received within the tubular member 22' when the table is collapsed. As indicated by the dotted lines in FIG. 2 an appropriate catch means 15 is mounted within the telescoping tube 17 and adapted to cooperate with apertures 16 in the telescoping tube 18 to provide a releasable catch means whereby the telescoping of the tubes 17 and 18 may be fixed at any point. Similarly, the dotted lines in FIG. 2 indicate that an appropriate catch means is rigidly fixed with respect to the table top member 20 and tubular member 22 and adapted to cooperate with apertures 16 through the tubular member 18 in order to support the table top member 20 on the tubular member 18. According to the teaching of this invention, the catch means 23 must be located exteriorly of the tubular member 22 so as to leave the entire interior of the tubular member 22 available for receiving the tubular members 17 and 18 of the support means 19. Finally, as indicated by dotted lines in FIG. 2, the cover member 30 is provided with an appropriate catch means 31 adapted to cooperate with the tubular member 22 to releasably support the cover member 30 above the working surface 21. Such catch means 31 must be located exteriorly of the tubular member 22 so as not to interfere with the full reception of the support means 19 within the tubular member 22. In accordance with the teaching of this invention, the tubular member 22 is fully received within the volume of the cover member 30 and to this end the cover member 30 may be provided with a tubular post 32 as indicated by the dotted lines in FIG. 2.

Thus, it will be seen that the various members of the utility table may be collapsed to the configuration shown in perspective in FIG. 3. The release of catch means 15 will allow the telescoping tube 18 to slide down over the tube 17. Similarly, the release of the catch means 23 will allow the tubular member 22 to slide down over the telescoping tubes 17 and 18 until the table member 20 rests on the base member 10. Finally, the release of catch means 31 will allow the cover to slide down over the tubular member 22 until the cover rests on the table top member 20, thereby enclosing the working surface 21 within its volume. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3 appropriate releaseable catch means 40 may be provided adjacent the interface between the base and table top member 20 and adjacent the interface between the table top 20 and the cover 30 so that these members may be locked in their collapsed position for transportation by means of a handle 42.

Referring to FIG. 4 an appropriate releaseable catch means for locking the telescoping tubes 17 and 18 in a selected position with respect to each other is shown. Such means 15 comprises a simple V-shaped spring means biased to urge elongated portions thereof through appropriate apertures in the wall of the member 17 and the apertures 16 in the tubular member 18. The apertures 16 are large enough that finger pressure may be used to disengage the elongated portions of the catch member 15 to allow telescoping of the members 17 and 18 with respect to each other in a manner well known in the art. It will be understood that a wide variety of catch means 15 might be used. The only requirement in accordance with the teaching of this invention being that such catch means 15 be contained entirely within the member 17 so as not to interfere with the full telescoping of the members 17 and 18 when desired.

Similarly, FIG. 5 shows a releaseable catch means 23 suitable for use in supporting the table top member 20 and working surface 21 on the support means 19 which in the embodiment shown comprises telescoping tubes 17 and 18. As shown in FIG. 5 the releaseable catch means 23 comprises a collar 24 fixed to the exterior of the tubular member 22. One or more cantilever springs are attached at one end to the collar 24 and are biased to force an elongated member carried by the other end thereof through aligned apertures in the wall of the tubular member 22 and tube 18 of the support means 19. it will be understood that any appropriate releaseable catch means other than that shown and described may be used as catch means 23. The only requirement according to the teaching of this invention is that such catch means 23 not interfere with the full reception of the support means 19 within the tubular member 22. The catch means shown in FIG. 5 may also be adapted for use as the catch means 31 associated with the cover member 30. Again, however, any appropriate catch means 31 may be used, the only requirement according to this invention being that it not interfere with the full reception of the tubular member 22 within the volume of the cover member 30.

Referring to FIG. 6 the working surface 21 of the table top member 20 may be provided with appropriate depressions 25 and receptacles 26 for the operation to be performed thereon. For example, in the specific embodiment shown in the drawing, the utility table is specifically adapted for use as a selfmanicure unit. Thus, depressions 25 are provided for contain ing fluids in which the fingers and fingernails of the operator may be soaked for conditioning or in which applicators may be placed in the desired liquid. Similarly, receptacles 26 may be adapted to contain bottle of liquids, tools or applicators for use in the manicure operation. The shape of the receptacles and depressions as well as their locations with respect to each other may be planned to provide optimum efficiency in the manicure operation. It will be understood that other arrangements of receptacles and depressions and even protuberances from the working surface may be provided to suit the particular operation to be performed on the working surface.

Referring in greater detail to FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, it will be seen that in the specific embodiment shown the base 10 comprises a circular member of given thickness. As. pointed out hereinabove the diameter of the base and its weight are selected to provide the desired stability for the work table. If desired, appropriate roller means may be provided on or within the thickness of the base member 10 in order to facilitate the movement of the work table from one location to another. The support means 19 according to the embodiment shown comprises a pair of telescoping tubes 17 and 18 extending perpendicularly from the base member 10 at the center thereof with the table top member 20 being supported as described hereinabove on the free end of the tubular member 18. The apertures in tubular member 16 enable the table top member 20 to be set at any desired height above the base member 10.

According to the specific embodiment shown a table top member 20 also comprises a circular member of given thickness. The table top member 20 is of the same diameter as the base member 10 and is preferably mounted on the tubular member 22 for rotation about such tubular member in order to provide a lazy Susan? function enabling an operator to obtain access to various portions of the working surface 21 by simply rotating the table top member 20. The table top member 20 may be of any desired thickness and in the embodiment shown has been made thick enough to provide space for a plurality of drawers 27 adapted to contain additional implements for use in the manicuring operation. In addition, heating elements for the various liquids used in the manicuring operation may be included within the thickness of the table top member, for example. However, it will be understood the thickness of the base member 10 and the table top member 20 will contribute to the minimum height of the table when collapsed as shown in FIG. 3. Thus, it is desirable to keep the thickness of the base member 10 and the table top member 20 as thin as is consistent with the particular operation to be performed thereon in order to reduce the overall height of the table when collapsed for storage.

In the embodiment shown the tubular member 22 extends perpendicularly from the center of the working surface 21. The length of the tubular member 22 is determined by the required clearance between the working surface 21 and the lower extremity of the cover member 30 to enable adequate utilization of the working surface 21 by the operator. The length of the tubular member 22,'in turn, determines the thickness of the cover member 30 required to fully receive such tubular member and such thickness, in turn, together with the thickness of the base member 10 and the table top member 20 determines the minimum height of the table in its collapsed condition as shown in FIG. 3. it would, of course, be possible to divide the tubular member 22 into two or more telescoping tubes in order to reduce such height. However, when all factors are considered, it appears that optimum results will be obtained through the use of a unitary tubular member 22.

It will be understood that for optimum usefulness the table should be easily transportable by hand while providing a working surface of substantial area. We have found that a circular working surface about 18 inches in diameter is sufficient for most tasks and results in a collapsed table of conveniently transportable dimensions. We have also found that a clearance of about l0 inches between the working surface and the lowest extremity of the cover member is sufficient to provide adequate access to a working surface having a diameter of about 18 inches. Thus, the use of a unitary tubular member 10 to 20 inches in length will allow some 10 inches of length for the support of the cover member with respect to the working surface allowing adequate thickness for the table top member. A tubular member of such dimension will easily accommodate a supporting means capable of supporting the working surface at a convenient height above the 'base member and at the same time enable the overall height of the collapsed table to be easily kept under about 24 inches. In addition the use of a tubular member of such dimension will provide a structure with excellent strength and stability characteristics.

It will be understood that if the tubular member 22 is divided into two or more telescoping sections then the support means 19 must comprise additional telescoping tubes of shorter length in order to be received within one of the sections of the tubular member 22. Additional releaseable catch means would have to be provided for each of the sections of the tubular member 22 and the support means 19 and appropriate allowance made for such catch means in selecting the length of the units of the tubular member 22 and support means 19. Thus, although some reduction in the minimum collapsed height of the table might be obtained by dividing the tubular member 22 into sections, the strength and stability of the table will be reduced and this together with the complication resulting from the need to provide additional catch means as well as the additional expense involved are believed to make such refinement undesirable.

In the embodiment shown the cover member 30 comprises an inverted cup shaped shell having the same cross-sectional diameter as the working surface 21 and base member 10, a tubular post 32 adapted to receive the tubular member 22 is mounted centrally within the cover member 30, thus, leaving space within the cover member 30 in which appropriate lighting fixtures, heating elements or fans may be mounted. In the specific embodiment shown an ultra violet sanitazing light 34 (indicated by broken lines in FIG. 2) is mounted within the cover member 30 so that the working surface 21 and the implements thereon may be sanitized between uses by closing the cover with the light 34 in operation.

The lower periphery of the cover member 30 (i.e., the portion below the dotted line 33) may be made of transparent material in order to provide an illusion of increased clearance between the table top member and the lower extremity of the cover member 30. Alternatively, printed instructions for the use of the table may be mounted about the periphery of the cover member in this location. Finally, a portion of the cover member below the dotted line 33 could be made to receive a portion of the table top member 20, if desired.

As indicated in FIG. 1 an appropriate electric connection 44 may be provided which passes through the base and up through the support means 19 and tubular member 22 in order to supply electrical power for lights (such as light 34), fans and heating elements (not shown) or electrical appliances (such as the electric fingernail buffer unit 28 shown in FIG. 1).

It will be understood that the diameters of the base 10, table top member 20 and cover member 30 need not all be the same as in the embodiment of this invention shown in the drawing. It is only necessary that the cover member 30 provide protection for the desired portion of the working surface 21 when the table is in its collapsed position and that the base member 10 provide stable support for the table unit in use. It is necessary according to the teaching of this invention that all elements of the supporting member 19 be received within the shortest element of the tubular member 22 and that the longest element of the tubular member 22 be fully received within the cover member 30. It is believed that those skilled in the art will adapt the table unit of this invention to many applications by making modifications embodying the elements of this invention as suggested hereinabove, to suit the particular application.

What is claimed is:

l. A collapsible utility table comprising a base member, a table top member providing a working surface, a cover member of given volume, a tubular member mounted on said table top member extending upwardly from said working surface and being received within the volume of said cover member, first releaseable catch means mounted on said cover member for detachably supporting said cover member on said tubular member, su port means extendingu wardly from said base member an wholly received wit in said tubular member, and second releaseable catch means mounted on said tubular member for detachably supporting said tubular member on said support means.

2. A collapsible utility table comprising a tubular member of given length, a table top member mounted on said tubular member at one end thereof, a cover member of given volume capable of fully receiving the portion of said tubular member projecting from said table top member, first releaseable catch means associated with said cover member detachably supporting said cover member at the other end of said tubular member from said table top member, a base member, support means mounted on and extending from said base member fully receivable within said tubular member, and second releaseable catch means associated with said one end of said tubular member detachably supporting said tubular member on said support means.

3. A utility table as claimed in claim 2 wherein said table top member provides a generally planar working surface of given area facing said cover member and said cover member has a planar cross-section of given area overlying said working surface.

4. A utility table as claimed in claim 3 wherein said working surface is provided with depression and receptacles for receiving liquids and physical objects.

5. A utility table as claimed in claim 3 wherein said support means comprises a first tube adapted to telescope within said tubular member, and said second releaseable catch means comprises apertures through the walls of said tubular member and said first tube and elongated means spring mounted on the exterior of said tubular member and penetrating said apertures.

6. A utility table as claimed in claim 5 wherein said support means comprises a second tube mounted at one end thereof on said base member and adapted to telescope within said first tube, said second tube having an aperture through the wall at the other end thereof and an elongated member spring mounted therewithin penetrating said aperture and an aperture in the wall of said first tube.

7. A utility table as claimed in claim 3 wherein said cover member comprises an inverted cup-shaped shell having a tubular post mounted at one end on said shell and extending centrally therewithin, said tubular member being adapted to telescope within said tubular post, and said first releaseable catch means comprising an aperture through the wall of said hollow post at the other end thereof and an elongated member spring mounted on the exterior of said post penetrating said aperture and an aperture through the wall of said tubular member.

8. A collapsible utility table as claimed in claim 7 wherein said cover member is dome shaped.

9. A collapsible utility table as claimed in claim 3 wherein said base member is circular providing a generally planar surface parallel to said working surface, said working surface and said planar cross-section of said cover member are circular and the areas of said surface of said base member, said working surface and said planar cross-section of said cover member are congruent to eachother.

10. A collapsible utility table as claimed in claim 3 wherein electrical appliances are mounted in said table top member and in said cover member and electrical connection to said appliances is provided through said base member, said support means and said tubular member. 

1. A collapsible utility table comprising a base member, a table top member providing a working surface, a cover member of given volume, a tubular member mounted on said table top member extending upwardly from said working surface and being received within the volume of said cover member, first releaseable catch means mounted on said cover member for detachably supporting said cover member on said tubular member, support means extending upwardly from said base member and wholly received within said tubular member, and second releaseable catch means mounted on said tubular member for detachably supporting said tubular member on said support means.
 2. A collapsible utility table comprising a tubular member of given length, a table top member mounted on said tubular member at one end thereof, a cover member of given volume capable of fully receiving the portion of said tubular member projecting from said table top member, first releaseable catch means associated with said cover member detachably supporting said cover member at the other end of said tubular member from said table top member, a base member, support means mounted on and extending from said base member fully receivable within said tubular member, and second releaseable catch means associated with said one end of said tubular member detachably supporting said tubular member on said support means.
 3. A utility table as claimed in claim 2 wherein said table top member provides a generally planar working surface of given area facing said cover member and said cover member has a planar cross-section of given area overlying said working surface.
 4. A utility table as claimed in claim 3 wherein said working surface is provided with depression and receptacles for receiving liquids and physical objects.
 5. A utility table as claimed in claim 3 wherein said support means comprises a first tube adapted to telescope within said tubular member, and said second releaseable catch means comprises apertures through the walls of said tubular member and said first tube and elongated means spring mounted on the exterior of said tubular member and penetrating said apertures.
 6. A utility table as claimed in claim 5 wherein said support means comprises a second tube mounted at one end thereof on said base member and adapted to telescopE within said first tube, said second tube having an aperture through the wall at the other end thereof and an elongated member spring mounted therewithin penetrating said aperture and an aperture in the wall of said first tube.
 7. A utility table as claimed in claim 3 wherein said cover member comprises an inverted cup-shaped shell having a tubular post mounted at one end on said shell and extending centrally therewithin, said tubular member being adapted to telescope within said tubular post, and said first releaseable catch means comprising an aperture through the wall of said hollow post at the other end thereof and an elongated member spring mounted on the exterior of said post penetrating said aperture and an aperture through the wall of said tubular member.
 8. A collapsible utility table as claimed in claim 7 wherein said cover member is dome shaped.
 9. A collapsible utility table as claimed in claim 3 wherein said base member is circular providing a generally planar surface parallel to said working surface, said working surface and said planar cross-section of said cover member are circular and the areas of said surface of said base member, said working surface and said planar cross-section of said cover member are congruent to each other.
 10. A collapsible utility table as claimed in claim 3 wherein electrical appliances are mounted in said table top member and in said cover member and electrical connection to said appliances is provided through said base member, said support means and said tubular member. 